Letter: Friends of the National Parks

When word came down from Washington that the national park system would be closed due to a government shutdown, the staff at national parks in the Upper Valley — Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller and Saint-Gaudens — could not have been more disappointed. It is regrettable that so many people, locally and from around the world, were not able to experience the beauty of the carriage paths up to Mount Tom, or witness the works of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, or hear the stories about some of America’s great conservationists.

However, we are fortunate to have so many institutions that provide educational opportunities and experiences in the Upper Valley. We especially want to thank our partners at the Billings Farm & Museum, Friends of Saint-Gaudens, the Woodstock Union High School and Middle School, the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce and others who assisted us in getting through this time. It is wonderful once again to see curious students and teachers exploring our parks and visitors experiencing both the Billings Farm and the parks. The recent Peak-to-Peak event was a great way to celebrate the diverse network of trails in the community and the many partnerships that have brought people together as stewards of this special place.